Australian Transport Network
{{Short description|Former freight railway operator in Australia}}
{{EngvarB|date=June 2018}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2018}}
{{Infobox company
| name = Australian Transport Network
| logo =
| logo_size =
| logo_caption =
| image = ATN Access Locomotives Picton 2001.jpg
| image_size = 220px
| image_caption = L Class locomotives at Picton station
in September 2001 wearing the same livery as Wisconsin Central locomotives in the United States, due to the WC owning the ATN at the time.
| romanised =
| former type =
| traded_as =
| industry = Rail operator
| fate = sold
| predecessor =
| successor = Pacific National
| foundation = 1 November 1997
| founder =
| defunct = February 2004
| location_city =
| location_country =
| locations = New South Wales
Victoria
Tasmania
| area_served =
| key_people =
| products =
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| revenue =
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| owner =
| num_employees =
| parent = Tranz Rail (67%)
Wisconsin Central (Canadian National Railway) (33%)
| divisions = ATN Access
Tasrail
| subsid =
}}
Australian Transport Network (ATN) was a freight railway operator in Australia that commenced operating in November 1997. The company operated narrow gauge trains in Tasmania and standard gauge trains in New South Wales and Victoria. It was formed as a joint venture with Tranz Rail owning 67% and Wisconsin Central (owner of Canadian National Railway) 33%. In February 2004, ATN was sold to Pacific National.[http://www.pacificnational.com.au/cust_access/tasmania.asp Tasmania] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080703192850/http://www.pacificnational.com.au/cust_access/tasmania.asp |date=3 July 2008 }} Pacific National[http://www.accc.gov.au/content/index.phtml/itemId/529923/fromItemId/751043 Acquirer: Pacific National Pty Ltd Target: Australian Transport Network Ltd] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120331161205/http://www.accc.gov.au/content/index.phtml/itemId/529923/fromItemId/751043 |date=31 March 2012 }} Australian Competition & Consumer Commission 30 March 2004[http://www.railexpress.com.au/archive/2004/Feb/26/pacific-national-buys-tasrail Pacific National buys Tasrail] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131228235842/http://www.railexpress.com.au/archive/2004/Feb/26/pacific-national-buys-tasrail |date=28 December 2013 }} "Rail Express" 26 February 2004
AN Tasrail
In August 1997, ATN was announced as the successful bidder for Australian National's Tasrail operation in Tasmania with the handover occurring on 1 November 1997."AN Sale: Private Owners Go From Zero to Three" Railway Digest October 1997 page 8[http://www.railwaygazette.com/news/single-view/view/three-groups-take-on-an-remains.html "Three groups take on AN remains"] Railway Gazette International 1 October 1997"Australian Transport Network takes over Tasrail" Railway Digest December 1997 page 12 In 1998, Tasrail purchased the Emu Bay Railway from Pasminco."Tasrail to Take Over Emu Bay Railway" Railway Digest April 1998 page 16
The president of Wisconsin Central, Ed Burkhardt dispatched Mark Rosner to Australia to take control in Tasmania. Amongst Rosner's achievements was the implementing of a new condensed Operating Rule Book, which eliminated some more complex practices in favour of vastly simplified procedures. Single car roadside freight was resumed where customers required it (discontinued under Australian National) in line with US short line practice. On sections of the main trunk line north of Hobart, moving block train spacing (5,000 metres minimum) managed over train radio replaced fixed block train order working introduced under Australian National.
ATN inherited a fleet of Alco and English Electric locomotives from Australian National and Walkers diesel-hydraulics from Emu Bay Railway. In line with Wisconsin Central's preference for Electro-Motive Diesel products, 15 DQ class locomotives that had been rebuilt at Hutt Workshops from 1960s built Queensland Rail 1460 and 1502 class locomotives were transferred from Tranz Rail in 1998/99[http://www.railtasmania.com/loco/loco.php?id=dq DQ Class] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140219045538/http://railtasmania.com/loco/loco.php?id=dq |date=19 February 2014 }} Rail Tasmania[http://www.railtasmania.com/loco/loco.php?id=qr QR Class] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140219053411/http://railtasmania.com/loco/loco.php?id=qr |date=19 February 2014 }} Rail Tasmania"Tasrail's new locomotives and wagons arrive" Railway Digest November 1998 page 18{{cite book |author=Oberg, Leon|title=Locomotives of Australia 1854–2007|year=2007|publisher=Rosenberg Publishing|isbn=978-1-877058-54-7|page=334}} along with DC4588.[http://www.railtasmania.com/loco/loco.php?id=dc DC Class] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140219071427/http://railtasmania.com/loco/loco.php?id=dc |date=19 February 2014 }} Rail Tasmania Two rebuilt Westrail D class locomotives were also forwarded from Tranz Rail in August 2001.{{cite book|author=Oberg, Leon|title=Locomotives of Australia 1854–2007|year=2007|publisher=Rosenberg Publishing|isbn=978-1-877058-54-7|page=366}}
In conjunction with a new train radio system, in June 1998 the entire locomotive fleet was renumbered. At this stage 31 locomotives were operated."Tasrail Loco Renumbering" Railway Digest October 1998 page 36
ATN Access
On the mainland, ATN Access was formed to bid for freight work. In 1999 a contract was awarded by the Australian Wheat Board to haul 300,000 tonnes of grain per annum from the Riverina and Dimboola regions to Port Kembla and Appleton Dock with operations commencing in June 2000."ATN Access Start-Up and Chinese Built XGAY Wagons Arrive" Railway Digest July 2000 page 16[http://www.railwaygazette.com/news/single-view/view/intelligence-35.html "Intelligence" Railway Gazette International 1 July 2000]
ATN Access purchased seven L class locomotives from Westrail in July 1999 (251, 253, 254, 265, 270, 271 and 276) with four being overhauled by National Railway Equipment Company, Whyalla.{{cite book|author=Oberg, Leon|title=Locomotives of Australia 1854–2007|year=2007|publisher=Rosenberg Publishing|isbn=978-1-877058-54-7|page=347}} In June 2000, three 830 class (833, 838 and 845) locomotives were purchased from Australian Southern Railroad.{{cite book|author=Oberg, Leon|title=Locomotives of Australia 1854–2007|year=2007|publisher=Rosenberg Publishing|isbn=978-1-877058-54-7|page=310}} These were often supplemented by locomotives hired from Chicago Freight Car Leasing Australia and Great Northern Rail Services. ATN Access also imported 44 new grain wagons from China. These were constructed at the Qiqihar Railway Workshops in Northern China.